Millis Planning Board candidates offer views

Sunday

Apr 27, 2008 at 12:01 AMApr 27, 2008 at 5:05 AM

In the only race on this year's town election ballot, two hopefuls are vying for a five-year position on the Planning Board. Incumbent Catherine C. MacInnes of Island Road is seeking a fourth term on the board, and is challenged by Joseph Fawkes of Ridge Street.

Heather McCarron/Daily News staff

In the only race on this year's town election ballot, two hopefuls are vying for a five-year position on the Planning Board.

Incumbent Catherine C. MacInnes of Island Road is seeking a fourth term on the board, and is challenged by Joseph Fawkes of Ridge Street.

The annual town election is set for Monday, May 5. Polls will be open at the Millis town hall, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

MacInnes

MacInnes, 51, is employed as a secretary. She has been on the Planning Board for the past 15 years and is seeking a fourth term.

In the past, MacInnes worked as a secretary for the town's zoning board. Presently, she is merit badge coordinator for Millis Boy Scout Troop 15, and serves on the Community Preservation Act Committee. She is also a founder and member of the Sidewalk Committee, which works with developers to help fund repair of town sidewalks.

MacInnes believes her years of experience on the Planning Board, as well as her experience working with the zoning board, make her the best choice in this year's election.

She said she understands the ins and outs of development well.

"I feel my experience allows me to get the best possible projects for Millis," she said.

MacInnes noted the Planning Board is anticipating plans for rehabilitation of the Cliquot building on Main Street, downtown improvements, and planning reuse of the GAF property - all projects she is eager to be a part of.

She said the Planning Board "is a great commitment at times. You need to not only attend the meetings, but you need to review the plans."

"I find that it takes many years to understand what's before the Planning Board and I'd like continue that," she said.

Fawkes

Fawkes, 37, is employed as a Boston mounted police officer. He has not held elective office in the town before, but has coached Pop Warner football locally.

Fawkes said he is seeking election to the Planning Board because he is concerned that the board's processes have become overly mired and are serving to chase away the new growth the town needs, as well as discourage residents.

"A lot of people are voicing concerns over long delays on home and land projects," he said.

He said one property owner told him he has been working for a year to get the necessary permits to fix up a blighted site at one of the town's borders. "It has cost him a lot of time and money," Fawkes said.

"People are discouraged," he said.

Describing himself as being both for the homeowner and the business owner, he said "I just would like to help people who own homes and property get things done with less red tape."

Fawkes said he is interested in looking at streamlining permitting to expedite projects that both help residents improve their properties as well as help the town gain needed new commercial growth.

"I'm looking just to use common sense and not put people through a bunch of unnecessary red tape and ridiculous requirements," he said.

Heather McCarron can be reached at hmccarro@cnc.com or 508-634-7584.

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